WRITE: Resumes & Professional Correspondence

Cover & Exploratory Letters

Cover letters and exploratory emails are the two primary types of correspondence you will use when applying for jobs and internships. While a cover letter is expected when applying for a specific position, an exploratory email is used when you are reaching out to an organization to inquire about potential opportunities, especially for informal career-related experiences.

Exploratory Emails:

Use an exploratory email when seeking internship, volunteer, or shadowing opportunities that are not listed.

The major difference between exploratory and networking emails is your request at the end of the email. A networking email is a request for a conversation, while an exploratory email is a CRE inquiry.

An excellent exploratory email:

Articulates skills, interests, and experiences

Demonstrates knowledge of the organization

Inquires about the possibility of a career-related experience

Cover Letters:

An excellent cover letter is personalized and targeted to the employer and the job. Never try to use a template, it will be obvious.

Be sure that you are targeting your letter to the specific job, not just the company.

Use business format (includes dates, address, and is formal in tone) even in an email.

Establish “fit” in the 1st paragraph of the letter: What makes you a good fit for this company?